new toys
Ray got me a new computer. He got some of the parts as salvage and some of them new — and all my peripherals are the same. But this one, he tells me, should be able to run all my software without getting bogged down. Also, it’s got ‘mirrored’ hard drives which means that I have 2 copies of everything and therefore less chance of losing any of my precious documents (ie pictures of my babies).
He also got me the trial version of PSE 8.0. I know he’s itching to get me hooked on it so he can upgrade it for me. I don’t know why but he just loves to do that. He asks if I want it, and I always say, “Nah, what would I do with that? The one I have does everything I need it to do.” And he says, “This new one has features that you’ll like. You know how you always wish it could do…” (whatever) and then he just keeps reminding me of the inadequacies of my current system until he convinces me to try the new one. And then, of course, I get hooked on it.
He also changed my operating system so that I could have more RAM. Apparently, the old one limited the amount of RAM available.
So, I’m getting used to a new operating system, playing with a software upgrade, and feeling a little bit lost on my own computer. But it’s also fun and exciting. 
Maybe he’s just trying to make sure that he’s indispensable as my computer guru. Maybe he doesn’t realize that he’s completely indispensable anyway. Don’t tell him, kay? Or he might quit getting me new toys.
January 24th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Wow, if you (or Ray) get a chance to post technical specs, Alan would be interested. I won’t understand at all, but Alan will enjoy a rundown of your new toys!
January 24th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I have to object to Afton’s description of how I “get [her] hooked on” a new version of her software. Lets use Photoshop Elements (PSE) as an example. She has been running PSE5 for a few years now. At Christmas time I noticed that PSE8 was available in Costco. I did a little research and found that it had some new features that I thought she would like. I seriously considered buying it for her, and AS a person who can can be very indecisive at times, I asked her several times if she thought she would like PSE8. I mentioned some of the new features it had to give her a reason why she might like it.
What follows is a technical response for Helly (Alan?), If you don’t want either the technical details or an insomnia cure please skip.
The motherboard and processor started off life as an HP m900.
Processor: Intel Core 2 quad Q6600 2.4 GHz
Ram: 6 GB Ram
HDD: 2 x 1TB Western Digital, Raid 1 configuration
Video: ATI Radeon HD 3650
OS: Windows 7 pro x64
Notes:
video card is nothing special, but no gamers here
I thought about 4 x 1TB HDD (or even 4 x 500GB HDD), Raid 10 configuration but my wallet objected strenuously.
I also thought about other operating systems.
XP:
32 bit – can’t handle more than 4 GB RAM
64 bit – Should I laugh or cry?
Vista, see one line up.
Linux – 2 of Afton’s main programs are windows only. Photoshop Elements and a cookbook program. yes there is Gimp, but Afton isn’t interested in a new learning curve and I haven’t found another cookbook program that compares under any OS.
font management may also be an issue.
Linux with virtual machine for above mentioned programs: I’ve played with VM’s, but I’m not ready to support them yet. I also have a philosophical issue with running the main, heaviest programs in a VM. (but that’s another issue.)
Hackintosh: See Linux
Windows 7:
32 bit – see xp 32 bit.
64 bit – decent OS, some learning curve, but not too bad after I deal with initial setup. It also has a few interesting features, despite the eye candy.